Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers: preview and player stats (Mar 1, 2027)

James (back) is out for Thursday's game against Toronto. The future Hall of Famer is getting Thursday night off for maintenace purposes. Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown should do the heavy lifting offensively, while Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should soak up extra minutes for the 76ers.

Barlow (back) participated in Thursday's shootaround but doesn't have a timeline to return to game action, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports. Barlow has been dealing with back soreness dating back to the preseason, so his participation in shootaround is an encouraging step. However, the 76ers have yet to provide a firm return date, and he'll likely need to ramp up further before he's cleared to play. Barlow should be monitored in deeper formats, but he isn't someone who needs to be rostered while he remains sidelined.

Bona (back) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week after seeing a specialist, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports. The fact that Bona needed to see a specialist suggests the injury may be more significant than initially thought, and he'll remain sidelined for at least the next several games. Even when healthy, the big man has seen his role shrink with Joel Embiid (foot) back in the rotation, averaging just 0.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in four appearances outside of his 25-minute effort against the Pistons in late October. In Bona's absence, Jabari Walker could see a few more minutes as Philadelphia's backup center.

Hukporti has sustained a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Hukporti went down with an Achilles injury in Monday's preseason opener against the Knicks, and an MRI has since revealed a rupture. He signed a one-year deal with the 76ers over the summer, so Hukporti will be an unrestricted free agent come season's end. With Hukporti's year already finished, Adem Bona (foot) should assume the backup center role behind Joel Embiid once healthy. Reported out for season.

Mobley (toe) is out for Friday's game against the Heat. The star big man took a hard fall late in Wednesday's win over the Knicks, and he's missing his first contest of the season Friday with a sprained toe. With Mobley sidelined, Jaylon Tyson, Meleek Thomas and Mario Hezonja are each viable streaming options.

Merrill (elbow) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks. Merrill has battled a lingering elbow issue since the preseason. He will now miss a third consecutive contest, with his next opportunity to suit up coming Friday in Miami. While Merrill is sidelined, Craig Porter, Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor should see more minutes.

Tomlin is set to miss several weeks with a lower back stress reaction, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. This is a tough blow for the forward and there's no guarantee he's cleared right away when he's re-evaluated in three-to-four weeks. Tomlin wasn't projected to crack the rotation ahead of Opening Night and was penciled in to be an emergency depth option.